A FRAUDSTER who spent five years on the run for a plot to cheat the government out of £1.4m in tax in a fake fuel scam was finally brought to face justice.

Thomas McCague, 35, was a ringleader in an eight-man Merseyside-based gang who conspired to make a fortune by selling bogus diesel.

But instead of facing trial with his accomplices back in 2005, Irishman McCague, who was identified as a principle organiser and financier, went on the run.

In his absence Liverpool crown court jurors found him guilty of evading fuel tax and money laundering and he was sentenced to five years behind bars.

McCague, of Armagh, was finally brought back to Merseyside yesterday to serve his sentence.

James Rae, prosecuting, told how after McCague’s disappearance a European Arrest warrant was issued. He was eventually snared in Ireland in July 2007. But the businessman then fought attempts to bring him back the UK. But he finally lost his battle to resist extradition on January 25 and he was returned to Merseyside.

He will now have to serve the whole five-year sentence and could face an extra penalty for his years on the run.

McCague’s gang bought tankers full of red diesel – only allowed for use in farming – and mixed it with untaxed heating oil at a secret chemical works on the Bold industrial estate, near Lunts Heath, near Widnes. They then sold the dodgy product as diesel to rogue petrol stations and transport firms. But the ring was smashed after a three-year surveillance operation by officers from HM Revenue and Customs.

Customers bought the fuel thinking it was bargain diesel, not realising it was both illegal and possibly damaging their car engines. The rest of the gang were jailed for a total of more than 15 years, while some received hefty fines.

McCague received the biggest sentence, but will be back before the courts on February 22 when he could receive extra jail time for absconding.